This is the Winter 2018 course discussion blog for and by UCLA students enrolled in LGBTQ Studies 183: Queer Arts in LA.
This course includes a creative component. When this course was first offered during the Fall 2012 quarter, the students researched queer artists who have a significant connection to Los Angeles. Then created a collaborative website.

Pages

Friday, October 5, 2012

Christopher Jonathan Meza

My
name is Christopher Jonathan Meza and I’m a first-year transfer student from
Santa Monica College. I’m in the nursing program, which so far is turning out
to be a wonderful experience. I was born in the flourishing Latino community of
Hollywood, CA. The picture I selected was taken about three years ago during my
high school graduation ceremony. It reflects a time when I was anxious and
excited to begin my college career at Santa Monica. I’m once again experiencing
this same plethora of emotions as I move forward here at UCLA, and I can’t wait
to see what journey is in store for me.

The
background I chose is a painting of a tree. I absolutely adore plants. During
my time at Santa Monica College, I took an organismal and environmental biology
class, which included an extensive botany study in the curricula. I became
enthralled with all types of plants, the animals and microorganisms that
interact with them, and environmental issues that pertain specifically to the
presence of certain plants and pollinators. The word I chose for this portrait is
DE LA PAZ, which in Spanish, translates into “of the peace.” DE LA PAZ is my
mother’s maiden name and the reason I chose this word is because, simply put,
words can’t describe how important my family is to me. Everything I pursue in
life is solely so that I may one day protect and provide for them. I’m
certainly a multidimensional character, but my family is definitive of the
person I am.

I’m
really excited to see how this class progresses. We all seem to share a common
bond, and I sincerely hope I have the privilege of getting to know all of you.